Don't diss the level up mechanic, man. I think it's a fun and flavourful mechanic that has many cool applications. The Zendikar block has taken inspiration from RPGs like D&D before (in the Adventurer and Quest concepts) so I don't think it's strange that they would introduce levelers to the game. I believe these guys will add to the game rather than detract from it.
This particular specimen is an awesome creature, since you can potentially have a 3/3 First Strike swinging on turn 2! As the game goes on, he'll remain relevant as a mana-sink for when you have no plays. Then, he becomes a 4/4 Double Strike late-game, which is quite amazing to be honest. I like levelers in general because they can remain relevant throughout the game, instead of being quick and dirty 1 or 2 drops that lose their place in the spotlight as soon as bigger creatures make their way onto the battlefield.
Posted By:
Pramxnim
(4/16/2010 2:51:09 AM)
"he's bolted after he swings and you just wasted two mana."
I wish people would stop to look at the card/think for a minute. If this was simply printed as a 3/3 first strike for 3 mana, would anyone be saying "omg if it gets bolted it was a waste of three mana"? In fact, I bet it would be rated higher just because people wouldn't see 'leveler' and automatically rate it low.
Posted By:
achilleselbow
(6/21/2010 6:31:20 PM)
For all the blind fools trash talking this card saying it'll be hit by bolt, doom blade, etc: There are plenty of ways to protect this card. Vines of Vastwood, Brave the Elements, and Emerge Unscathed will all protect this guy. Will be even harder when a Knight Exemplar is around.
Posted By:
shinhawk
(8/20/2010 1:14:17 AM)
Anybody who doesn't see that this card is absolutely-positively-out-the-door-broken is nuts. 3/3 First Striker attacking on Turn TWO. Who the heck cares if it "takes away" your second turn?? It is so messed up that people are actually CRITICIZING this card and really shows where the power-creep has gotten us. I mean, this is the most powerful card in RotE.
Posted By:
Selez
(4/24/2010 12:55:05 PM)
At one time I hated level up, as I thought it was inching the game closer to Pokemon, then I realized it's an expansion of Figure of Destiny. Anything that comes from that ferocious little hobbit is awesomesauce. I still like him better than all the other levelers.
Posted By:
blindthrall
(4/29/2010 4:01:28 PM)
Call it a 3-drop 3/3 first strike and then you realize how batshit crazy this guy is.
Posted By:
TherealphatMatt
(9/20/2011 11:33:56 AM)
My issue with Level Up isn't the flavor of it. As the creatures of Zendikar battle fight the Eldrazi, it makes sense that they would learn a few new tricks over time. However, most of the cards with the effect are completely useless outside of Limited, due to their high costs for Level Up. Why spend all your mana early game on something that will get hit with a terminate/Doomblade/PTE/Vampire Hexmage/Malestrom pulse/O-ring/Journey to Nowhere/Vendetta/maybe lightning bolt/anything I miss?/ when it tries to attack? Student of Warfare is an exception, rather than the rule. Joraga Treespeaker is one of the few other ones.
Posted By:
statiefreez
(4/19/2010 4:33:03 PM)
Bolted turn 2? Thanks for wasting your bolt. Turn 3 Transcendent Master
Posted By:
Khias
(4/29/2010 1:14:31 AM)
ok ok ok STOP. I'm not even going to talk about the level-up issue, that's been covered.
SHE has BOOBS! retards... (*sigh*)
Posted By:
DarthParallax
(8/7/2011 8:33:21 PM)
lol, why would I ever invest 7 mana into this thing when I could just leave it at a 3/3 first striker and it would already be good enough
Posted By:
Arachibutyrophobia
(9/23/2011 7:15:58 PM)